As a kid I was undecided between art and science as possible career paths. I chose art. I guess I was doomed anyway
We need to stop thinking about careers as fields we want to work in and more about the tasks we will be doing. As someone with a stem degree who works in manufacturing there are so many tasks that are more art form then doing any science. If I told you as a kid you could be a fully accomplished artist by becoming an engineer you would have blown me off.
At the end of the day, though, what always ends up happening is we become teachers, negotiators, and networkers. You can do it anywhere. Having a skill only gets you in the door.
I think we need to stop thinking about careers as dreams to be followed, and more as a means of making money. Dreams can be followed in your free time. Life demands money.
As someone who spent ten years attempting to follow my dreams and is now broke because he has a shitty job, it would be a lot easier to follow my dreams now if I had more money to spend and more time off to do it in.
If you have to work all the time just make ends meet, you don't have time to follow your dreams. Get a good job first, then follow your dreams with all the money and time off you'll have.
the "art" of engineering only works out if you are solid on the basics and that means a good understanding of the relevant physics, chemistry, biology and math as well as the ability to quantify the whole thing with proper math.
Would you like me to describe the many tasks an engineer is responsible for that does not involve physics, chemistry, biology, and math?
Answering your bosses mail, that the project cannot be done in the ridicolous time the marketing and sales team promised to the customer isn't exactly an art specific to engineers.
That's a balanced take, I agree. It doesn't make it any easier though, I guess it's why the meme still works as a joke.
I chose art too!
I also realized the economics of higher ed only seem to have good chances of panning out if you go into
Yep.
I’m convinced it’s a system designed to take advantage of young impressionable people who don’t know any better while keeping ‘expertise’ and ‘knowledge’ behind a paywall.
Nothing uni has taught me could not have been learnt by myself reading papers and following YouTube.
Except for the fact learning through those means is not recognised as ‘legitimate’.
Hmmm ... well, if I was going to hire, say, a chemist to work in a research lab, I need some way to identify if my candidates have the required skills/knowledge/etc. Now one way to quickly ascertain that is to see if they have a chemistry degree (or master's, PhD, whatever is necessary for the particular role). Possibly practical experience could be enough, also - I know people who have worked up through corporate labs without degrees.
However if someone comes and says "trust me, I've read a lot of papers and watched YouTube videos"... sure, they might know what they need, but how am I going to check? The point of a degree isn't necessarily just to legitimise that knowledge, it's also a stamp that says a trusted entity has confirmed you have those skills and knowledge. I'm not saying it's perfect, but there is a purpose to the whole institution.
One of the most valuable parts of my MA program (probably the most) has been learning directly from faculty. Especially in understanding theory. That's something I just couldn't grasp straight from the writings, even with secondary texts. Plus the historical context that I wouldn't have considered.
Teaching experience has been valuable, in that I've learned that I hate it and that I despise the institution of academia in general. Yes, my dreams have been crushed by its greed, bureaucracy, and emphasis on the status quo, but at least I won't waste 4-6 more years on a PhD.
I love my field. I love writing and research. I like lecturing and being in the classroom. But working within my discipline is like ten percent of my time. The rest is spent on navigating bureaucracy, actual hours spent answering emails, getting shit approved by admin who know nothing about my field, attending pointless meetings, and office politics. And from what I hear it would only get worse. It's so disappointing. As much as I love my discipline, it's not worth it.
Eta: oh, and can't forget the constant demands and criticisms with jack shit in return. Every student and faculty member is demanding every minute of my time, not a single thing is ever good enough, there's never a single ounce of positive feedback. The closest I ever get is an A on a paper with a bunch of criticisms. The grading I do for other people's classes could have over half the class getting D's based on the prof's answer key, but yeah, it's definitely your TAs grading that's the problem. I think that's all they're paying us (less than minimum wage) for. To shoulder all the blame and the busy work with zero recognition or empathy for our workload.
When they're both good, get both.
When they're both bad, live in your parents basement.
I like the wit of the quote, but living in a country where student debt will amass infinite interest and follow you to the grave pretty much checkmates that strategy lol.
Also: Speaking as a millennial, most of us came of age right about the time corner-office kids were wrapped around the building for a chance to work in fast food.
Job markets were said to be good for like 5 minutes after the Great Resignation....annnd we're back to 2008 again lol.
Never stop learning. Use a job for as long as it's useful and nothing more.
Anyone who worked in a lab as an undergrad knew this. Some of us still chose to pursue it...
As someone getting ready to use grad school to change careers, should I be worried
No. Especially if you have work experience, doing a MA or an MSc will be taken for the career pivoting skills development you sell it as.
Don't do a PhD, though, unless you're specifically trying to get into a job that looks for them. That is, unless you specifically want to do the PhD for the sake of doing it. A lot of employers see it the same way a retail employer sees a BSc - a sign that you're a flight risk.
I've actually always wanted one solely for the sake of one. Only took an extra 10 years to figure out which I wanted it to be. However, I EMPHATICALLY do not want to get stuck in academia
Staying in academia is harder than leaving. One just generally cannot reenter academia after leaving.
Work on industry contacts and focus on projects with applications (ideally funded by your future employer).
Because other people said you should get one. That's no way to choose a career / education path.
I chose this. I've got my undergrad and 10 years of work experience. This has been a developing plan for the past 8 years, so it's not an uninformed decision and it's not anyone else's expectation.
But yes, you shouldn't do something just because someone said so
Used to want to do an M.D. Realized I didn't want to be 400k in debt before I'm even a resident. Thought I'd do a Ph.D in chemE, but didn't feel like being underpaid and overworked for 4+ years.
Teaching is rewarding. So is connecting with your fellow students. It was a completely different league at CC vs. Uni. Did a lot of research throughout my undergrad. I still like what I majored in, but it took me a long time to adjust after my personality got absorbed and prepared to get fucked by grad school.
